The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 03, 1998
Filed:
Mar. 27, 1996
Shinichi Takeshima, Susono, JP;
Tetsuro Kihara, Susono, JP;
Takamitsu Asanuma, Susono, JP;
Toshiaki Tanaka, Numazu, JP;
Kenji Katoh, Sunto-gun, JP;
Satoshi Iguchi, Mishima, JP;
Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Aichi, JP;
Abstract
A device for detecting deterioration of a NO.sub.x absorbent arranged in the exhaust passage of an engine. An O.sub.2 sensor generating a current proportional to the air-fuel ratio is arranged in the exhaust passage downstream of the NO.sub.x absorbent. When the amount of NO.sub.x absorbed in the NO.sub.x absorbent is almost zero or after the amount of NO.sub.x absorbed in the NO.sub.x absorbent is made almost zero, the air-fuel ratio of the air-fuel mixture is changed from lean to rich, and the amount of oxygen stored in the NO.sub.x absorbent is detected from the output signal of the O.sub.2 sensor at this time. Further, the NO.sub.x absorbing capability is found by using this detected oxygen amount.